Exoplanet Watch
Participate in exoplanet research by analyzing observations of planetary transits. Exoplanet Watch provides opportunities for participants to work with astronomical observations and contribute data to ongoing research.
Citizen Science
Discover. Learn. Participate.
Astronomy is a science you can take part in.
Take Part in Real Astronomical Research
Professional astronomers cannot observe and analyze everything in the universe by themselves. Citizen science projects connect volunteers with researchers, observatories, spacecraft missions, and scientific data so that members of the public can make meaningful contributions. AstRowe Education will curate astronomy citizen-science projects, explain what participants actually do, and provide educational resources and training to help you get started.
How It Works
Discover → Learn → Train → Participate → Contribute. You do not need to be a professional astronomer to contribute. Some projects require a telescope or other equipment; others can be done entirely online using publicly available astronomical data. And some require only your eyes. The right project depends on your interests, experience, equipment, and the amount of time you want to invest.
Explore Citizen Science Projects
Browse projects by topic and find an activity that fits your interests.
Exoplanets & Stars
AAVSO
The American Association of Variable Star Observers supports observers who monitor variable stars and submit observations. Long-term observations of variable stars provide valuable data for professional astronomers.
Planet Hunters TESS
Examine data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and look for patterns that may indicate planets passing in front of their host stars.
Solar System & Space
Backyard Worlds: Planet 9
Search infrared astronomical images for brown dwarfs and possible objects in the outer Solar System. The project gives volunteers an opportunity to help scientists examine large amounts of astronomical data.
International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC)
Analyze astronomical observations to help discover and track asteroids and other small bodies in the Solar System.
Sungrazer Project
Examine spacecraft images of the region around the Sun to help identify previously unknown comets.
Radio Astronomy & Multiple Topics
Radio JOVE
Explore radio astronomy through observations of Jupiter, the Sun, Earth’s ionosphere, and other radio sources. Radio JOVE also provides a hands-on route into radio astronomy for participants interested in building or using simple radio-astronomy equipment.
Zooniverse
Explore people-powered research projects across astronomy and many other fields. Volunteers help researchers classify galaxies, search for planets, and investigate questions using real scientific data.
Einstein@Home
Volunteer computing power helps Einstein@Home search data from gravitational-wave detectors and radio and gamma-ray telescopes for neutron stars and pulsars.
AstRowe Training & Education
Finding a project is only the beginning. AstRowe Education will develop training and educational resources that help participants understand the astronomy behind these projects and develop the practical skills needed to participate. Training may include astronomy fundamentals, observing techniques, image and data analysis, project-specific procedures, and guidance on using astronomical equipment.
Explore AstRowe Educational Initiatives ›Choosing a Project
As this section grows, we will organize projects by the kinds of activities they involve, the equipment they require, the experience level they assume, and the type of scientific contribution participants make. Our goal is simple: make it easier to move from being interested in astronomy to actually taking part in astronomy.